February 28, 2008
MEMORANDUM
TO: SDDWC Members and Candidates for Elected Office
FROM: Pat Washington, President, SDDWC
RE: 2008 Candidate Endorsement Meeting
All Club Members and Candidates for Elected Officers are Hereby Noticed that the San Diego Democratic Women's
Club will hold its
2008 Club endorsements
on March 25, 2008
from 6pm-8:00pm at “SEWS and SHOWS,”
7860 Golden Avenue, Lemon Grove, CA 91945
(East of the large lemon behind Starbucks).
Candidates seeking the club’s endorsement should obtain and return a completed copy of the SDDWC Candidate
Questionnaire no less than 10 days before scheduled SDDWC endorsement meeting.
Directions to "Sews and Shows Community Theatre" - 94, exit Lemon Grove Ave, bear to the right, left on
Broadway, right into the 2nd driveway and go straight. Sews and Shows Community Theatre will be on your left
hand side, 2 doors down south from Miss Donuts. Recorded directions also on 619 460-SHOWS (7469).
Please be advised that no food or drink is allowed in meeting area.
[Endorsement Ballots Will Reflect Final List of Timely Endorsement Requests]
San Diego Democratic Club members should insure that their 2008 Club membership dues have been paid in full and
accordance to Club membership guidelines per Club bylaws prior to Club endorsement voting.
SDDWC Candidate Endorsement Protocol
Statement of SDDWC Mission and Goals
The purpose of the San Diego Democratic Women’s Club (SDDWC) is to promote the goals and ideals of the
Democratic party. To further this end, the Club will actively support Democratic candidates, contribute to party
leadership, responsibility and harmony, and stimulate active interest in the Democratic Party by providing
constructive roles for volunteers.
Philosophy of Club Endorsements
ARTICLE IX - ENDORSEMENTS
Section 9.01 Limitations. The Club may endorse in partisan and non-partisan elections, and may endorse or oppose
initiatives, referendums and other plebiscites provided that notice of possible endorsement is given the members at
least five (5) days prior to the meeting. In a partisan contest, the Club may only endorse Democratic candidates
unless there are no Democratic candidates or unless the Club determines that all Democratic candidates for the office
are unacceptable.
[From SDDWC Bylaws] Section 9.02 Procedures.
(a) A quorum of 15% of all eligible Club members is required for an endorsement vote to take place. Eligible
members are those who have been Club members for no less than 32 days of the calendar year prior to the
endorsement meeting, and who have paid their dues. Eligible members who have not paid their dues are eligible if
dues are paid prior to the endorsement vote. Candidates who are Club members in good standing may vote.
(b) The election shall be by secret ballot only. The option of “No Endorsement” shall always be an alternative
on the ballot.
(c) Fifty percent (50%) plus 1 of those present and eligible to vote at a properly noticed meeting at which a
quorum is present is required to receive the Club’s endorsement, to determine a candidate acceptable or unacceptable,
or to take a position on a ballot measure. In all instances where no single candidate receives the fifty percent plus one
(50% +1) required for the Club’s endorsement, the top two vote-getters will participate in a run-off election during
the endorsement meeting in which the vote was taken.
Furthermore:
1. To the extent possible, all known Democratic candidates running in a specific race will receive notification of
the opportunity to seek an SDDWC endorsement. Ultimately, it is the responsibility of Democratic candidates seeking
elective office to seek out the Club’s endorsement.
2. SDDWC should announce the date of proposed endorsement voting to it members by mail at 5 days and/or
email at least 5 days prior to the meeting in which such endorsements will be considered. The club will utilize any
and all resources available, including newsletters, website and other appropriate places to publicize endorsements.
3. SDDWC’s recognizes that there may be compelling reasons for “early endorsements,” such as fundraising
considerations, etc. However, SDDWC early endorsements will be rare and will be made on a case-by-case basis.
The Club should have an “outstanding” reason for making an early endorsement. Special consideration will be given
to the candidate’s contributions to women’s political engagement, support for legislation that helps women and the
candidate’s overall support for women’s issues. In all cases, the onus is on the candidate to provide the Club with a
compelling reason(s) for an early endorsement.
4. Candidates seeking an endorsement from the SDDWC are expected to obtain, complete and return a
SDDWC Candidate Questionnaire by postal mail
(Attn: Pat Washington, President, SDDWC,
4537 Alamo Drive San Diego , CA 92115 ).
Or fax (619) 229-8226 no less than 10 days before scheduled SDDWC endorsement meeting.
5. As much as possible, women should be endorsed, above and beyond male candidates, for a given office.
6. Upon request, the process and procedure for the endorsement meeting and SDDWC endorsements should be
known to candidates in advance, of the process.
7. The positions on issues and philosophy, i.e. background and experience of candidates should be thoroughly
reviewed to ascertain the candidate’s compatibility with the goals and mission of SDDWC. It is the responsibility of
the Club members as well as those seeking the Club’s endorsement to provide written documentation of such
compatibility to the Club President and Secretary at least ten days prior to an endorsement vote by the Club.
8. In accordance with the Bylaws, endorsements should be carried out using secret ballots only.
9. Balloting should never be conducted in the presence of candidates.
10. In circumstances when two or more Club members are seeking the Club’s endorsement for the same office,
absent a compelling reason to endorse one Club member over another, the Club will abstain from endorsement.
MEMORANDUM
TO: SDDWC Members and Candidates for Elected Office
FROM: Pat Washington, President, SDDWC
RE: 2008 Candidate Endorsement Meeting
All Club Members and Candidates for Elected Officers are Hereby Noticed that the San Diego Democratic Women's
Club will hold its
2008 Club endorsements
on March 25, 2008
from 6pm-8:00pm at “SEWS and SHOWS,”
7860 Golden Avenue, Lemon Grove, CA 91945
(East of the large lemon behind Starbucks).
Candidates seeking the club’s endorsement should obtain and return a completed copy of the SDDWC Candidate
Questionnaire no less than 10 days before scheduled SDDWC endorsement meeting.
Directions to "Sews and Shows Community Theatre" - 94, exit Lemon Grove Ave, bear to the right, left on
Broadway, right into the 2nd driveway and go straight. Sews and Shows Community Theatre will be on your left
hand side, 2 doors down south from Miss Donuts. Recorded directions also on 619 460-SHOWS (7469).
Please be advised that no food or drink is allowed in meeting area.
[Endorsement Ballots Will Reflect Final List of Timely Endorsement Requests]
San Diego Democratic Club members should insure that their 2008 Club membership dues have been paid in full and
accordance to Club membership guidelines per Club bylaws prior to Club endorsement voting.
SDDWC Candidate Endorsement Protocol
Statement of SDDWC Mission and Goals
The purpose of the San Diego Democratic Women’s Club (SDDWC) is to promote the goals and ideals of the
Democratic party. To further this end, the Club will actively support Democratic candidates, contribute to party
leadership, responsibility and harmony, and stimulate active interest in the Democratic Party by providing
constructive roles for volunteers.
Philosophy of Club Endorsements
ARTICLE IX - ENDORSEMENTS
Section 9.01 Limitations. The Club may endorse in partisan and non-partisan elections, and may endorse or oppose
initiatives, referendums and other plebiscites provided that notice of possible endorsement is given the members at
least five (5) days prior to the meeting. In a partisan contest, the Club may only endorse Democratic candidates
unless there are no Democratic candidates or unless the Club determines that all Democratic candidates for the office
are unacceptable.
[From SDDWC Bylaws] Section 9.02 Procedures.
(a) A quorum of 15% of all eligible Club members is required for an endorsement vote to take place. Eligible
members are those who have been Club members for no less than 32 days of the calendar year prior to the
endorsement meeting, and who have paid their dues. Eligible members who have not paid their dues are eligible if
dues are paid prior to the endorsement vote. Candidates who are Club members in good standing may vote.
(b) The election shall be by secret ballot only. The option of “No Endorsement” shall always be an alternative
on the ballot.
(c) Fifty percent (50%) plus 1 of those present and eligible to vote at a properly noticed meeting at which a
quorum is present is required to receive the Club’s endorsement, to determine a candidate acceptable or unacceptable,
or to take a position on a ballot measure. In all instances where no single candidate receives the fifty percent plus one
(50% +1) required for the Club’s endorsement, the top two vote-getters will participate in a run-off election during
the endorsement meeting in which the vote was taken.
Furthermore:
1. To the extent possible, all known Democratic candidates running in a specific race will receive notification of
the opportunity to seek an SDDWC endorsement. Ultimately, it is the responsibility of Democratic candidates seeking
elective office to seek out the Club’s endorsement.
2. SDDWC should announce the date of proposed endorsement voting to it members by mail at 5 days and/or
email at least 5 days prior to the meeting in which such endorsements will be considered. The club will utilize any
and all resources available, including newsletters, website and other appropriate places to publicize endorsements.
3. SDDWC’s recognizes that there may be compelling reasons for “early endorsements,” such as fundraising
considerations, etc. However, SDDWC early endorsements will be rare and will be made on a case-by-case basis.
The Club should have an “outstanding” reason for making an early endorsement. Special consideration will be given
to the candidate’s contributions to women’s political engagement, support for legislation that helps women and the
candidate’s overall support for women’s issues. In all cases, the onus is on the candidate to provide the Club with a
compelling reason(s) for an early endorsement.
4. Candidates seeking an endorsement from the SDDWC are expected to obtain, complete and return a
SDDWC Candidate Questionnaire by postal mail
(Attn: Pat Washington, President, SDDWC,
4537 Alamo Drive San Diego , CA 92115 ).
Or fax (619) 229-8226 no less than 10 days before scheduled SDDWC endorsement meeting.
5. As much as possible, women should be endorsed, above and beyond male candidates, for a given office.
6. Upon request, the process and procedure for the endorsement meeting and SDDWC endorsements should be
known to candidates in advance, of the process.
7. The positions on issues and philosophy, i.e. background and experience of candidates should be thoroughly
reviewed to ascertain the candidate’s compatibility with the goals and mission of SDDWC. It is the responsibility of
the Club members as well as those seeking the Club’s endorsement to provide written documentation of such
compatibility to the Club President and Secretary at least ten days prior to an endorsement vote by the Club.
8. In accordance with the Bylaws, endorsements should be carried out using secret ballots only.
9. Balloting should never be conducted in the presence of candidates.
10. In circumstances when two or more Club members are seeking the Club’s endorsement for the same office,
absent a compelling reason to endorse one Club member over another, the Club will abstain from endorsement.
